Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504270070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: STAFFORD LENGTH: Medium
Seventeen returned after a committee made up of the principal, librarian and several teachers at T. Benton Gayle Middle School recommended that the magazine be withheld from students whose parents object to it.
The flap began after a 12-year-old girl brought home a copy and her father, Michael Berry, read a column about homosexuality and called the magazine ``trash.'' The school pulled the magazine after Berry complained.
The school brought back the magazine last week for its sixth- through eighth-grade pupils, who range in age from 11 to 16. The final decision about the committee's recommendation rests with Superintendent Russell Watson.
Berry said the recommendation isn't good enough. He wants a policy allowing students to read the magazine only after they ask for it. He said he doubts that school staff can monitor students closely enough to ensure that Seventeen is kept away from the students whose parents indicate they don't want them reading it.
``I like the opt-out idea, but I don't like the implementation,'' Berry said. ``It needs fine-tuning. It puts all the pressure and responsibility on the librarian, and she can't handle that if she's got other duties.''
Principal Winston Ward said he is confident the school staff can keep tabs on the magazine. He said greater limits on access would constitute a form of censorship.
Ward said Berry's appeal of the committee's recommendation will be sent to the assistant superintendent for instruction, who will appoint a panel to examine the matter.
Ward said the committee reviewed numerous issues of the magazine and found it ``presents a balanced mix of a young girl's interests, from fashion and makeup tips, to features on dating, entertainment, food and fitness.''
Seventeen Editor Caroline Miller said she is pleased that the magazine is back on the shelves, but she objects to how the opt-out arrangement singles out Seventeen.
``While we completely support a parent's right to decide what they don't want their daughter reading, it would be unfair for Seventeen to be singled out in some way and be identified as inappropriate,'' she said. ``We feel very strongly that everything in it is healthy and appropriate for teenagers.''
The magazine celebrated its 50th anniversary in October. It has a circulation of nearly 2 million and it targets readers ages 12 through 24, Miller said.
by CNB